Early Buccaneers were underpowered and could not launch from a carrier with a worthwhile weapon load. An airborne tanker had to supply fuel after takeoff, and Scimitars performed that job. Sixteen Scimitars then served with the Fleet Requirements Unit at Bournemouth from 1965 to 1970. The unit flew realistic profiles for land- and sea-based naval training organizations, giving air-defense crews useful practice against airborne threats. Successor Royal Navy units continued a similar mission.
Chapter · 21:30-22:56
Supporting early Buccaneers and training naval defenses
Scimitar tankers made useful carrier launches possible for early underpowered Buccaneers, while surviving aircraft later supported realistic fleet training.